Difficult to believe, but this month marks the second anniversary of our first seminar with Meik Skoss, an event that initiated a transformation in our dojo that continues to this day. Ellis Amdur played a key role in setting up that first visit, as a long-distance go-between, and now takes an even greater hand in the dojo by overseeing the training of our aikido class.

Amdur Seminar

Ellis-san returned to Pennsylvania in May, teaching a private seminar at Itten Dojo on the 30^th and 31^st, and an open seminar several days later at Aikido of Pittsburgh (with a side-trip to Fred Little’s dojo in New York, in between).

The purpose of Ellis’ visit was to work on the first two test sets in our aikido curriculum, and for that reason the training sessions were limited to members of the dojo. In addition to addressing the fundamental techniques contained in these sets, Ellis introduced several sets of exercises designed to develop internal strength. Although aikido is usually considered an internal art, Ellis points out that any systematic way to achieve internal conditioning is notably lacking in most variants of the art.

Basic exercises in the first set include the aiki-undo familiar to most practitioners of aikido, with the addition of exercises based on the movement patterns developed by Kuroiwa Yoshio, one of Ellis’ instructors in Japan. Kuroiwa sensei was a boxer with more than 300 bouts, as well as an aikido uchideshi, and perhaps predictably took a very pragmatic approach to training. Reflecting his boxing background, Kuroiwa sensei created ways to enter aikido techniques from the hook and uppercut movements with which he was so familiar. Our first set of exercises focuses on proper pathways and the principle of hips leading movement, and will be tested during the gokyu examination.

The second set (for yonkyu) includes most of the same exercises as the first set, but the exercises are performed holding a soccer ball filled with kitty litter (this is essentially a slightly smaller and lighter medicine ball). In addition to the weight resistance aiding strengthening of connective tissues and joints, the device fosters proper form by the simple expedient of causing improper form to hurt. In order to avoid discomfort in the execution of exercise movements, the student must follow the prescribed pathway.

Sankyu requirements include a set of aikiken exercises. These drills, performed with a bokuto, are not intended to convey principles of proper swordsmanship, but rather mimic movements intrinsic to aikido techniques.

At the point of the nikyu exam, students are required to demonstrate proficiency in the ba duan jin set, the internal exercises Ellis presented to attendees of the January 2003 open seminar.

For ikkyu, Ellis has recommended a series of conditioning and coordination drills performed with a tanpo-yari (padded spear). These exercises are exceptionally challenging, and target virtually the entire body. The forearm exercises alone are enough to make you call it a night…

As for the fundamental techniques in the first two sets, we practice several forms of ikkyo, nikyo, shiho-nage, irimi-nage, and tenchi-nage, along with kaeshi-waza and henka-waza and te-hodoki (releases or counters to a variety of grabs, chokes, or holds). We’re delighted with the curriculum to this point – it’s eminently practical and effective and builds credible self-defense skills from the start while remaining true to the spirit of aikido training as a metaphor for conflict resolution.

And training with Ellis is itself a blast. His approach to the practice of aikido embodies the emphasis on integrity so evident in his writings on the art, and his interpretation of what constitutes proper ukemi allows even beginners to practice at a higher level of intensity, safely, than would otherwise be the case (Ellis believes that conventional aikido ukemi is designed more for the purpose of making nage look good than for protecting uke, and consequently can induce chronic injuries while failing to augment the capacity for self-defense).

SMR Jo Godo-geiko

On June 21^st and 22^nd, eastern region members and trainees within Shinto Muso-ryu Jo congregated at Itten Dojo for a weekend of joint training. Members of the ryu in attendance included Meik and Diane Skoss, Larry Bieri, and Dan Soares, and trainees attended from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia; in all, 16 participants.

The point of godo-geiko is to facilitate training with a far wider range of partners than is normally possible. No one is “in charge,” and no new kata are introduced to trainees — any instruction provided is purely incidental to the practice — but it’s impossible to execute dozens of repetitions of kata, many in the company of senior members of the ryu, without picking up a lot of pointers and refinements. I don’t think anyone headed home without being convinced his practice was materially improved.

Another benefit of the weekend was catching glimpses of advanced portions of the curriculum, as the seniors grabbed an hour or so to focus on sets for which they don’t as often have training partners.

Many of those attending will be heading to the Seattle area in August for the SMR Jo Pan American Gasshuku, and the godo-geiko provided a great tune-up for that event.

Dojo Fundraising

In previous updates I reported that we were making a concerted effort to pay down the principle on the commercial loan from construction of the dojo, with the objective of lowering the monthly payments on the remaining balance from $350 to a more manageable amount.

Thanks to donations from members of the dojo (and even from dojo belonging to friends — thanks, Phil!), money I had been able to put aside over the preceding year, and funds coming in from the self-defense training we are providing a group of commercial pilots, we were able to pay $5,000 on the loan and lower the remaining payments to a little less than $100 per month. This is a great relief and I deeply appreciate everyone’s contributions.